Twenty-Four New Yorker Employees Protest "Union-Busting" at Condé by Crashing Netflix Documentary Screening

Unionized employees at Cond Nast continue to challenge the dismissal of several colleagues, bringing their demonstration to an event honoring The New Yorker. On Thursday evening, more than twenty staff members from the magazine attended a special Netflix screening of The New Yorker at 100 at Manhattans Paris Theater to protest what they describe as unlawful terminations.

Outside the theater, the group distributed union-branded stickers and flyers denouncing the magazine for union-busting like its 1925. Audience members were encouraged to wear the stickers and raise questions about the recent dismissals during the screening.

The conflict stems from the firing of four union employees and the suspension of five others on November 5. Earlier that day, unionized Cond Nast staff confronted Chief People Officer Stan Duncan at the companys One World Trade Center offices regarding layoffs at Teen Vogue and other brands. Video footage, first reported by The Wrap and confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter, shows a tense exchange that Duncan ended by walking away.

Cond Nast called the confrontation a violation of company policy, labeling the staffs actions as harassment and disruption of business operations. The company also filed a charge with the National Labor Relations Board against the NewsGuild of New York, which represents the Cond Nast and New Yorker unions.

The union argued that their members actions were protected under federal labor law, describing the firings as a blatant breach of our contract and a violation of federally protected rights. Among those terminated was Jasper Lo, a senior fact-checker at The New Yorker who briefly appears in the Netflix documentary. The dismissals have sparked controversy, with prominent writers voicing opposition to the decision.

The Paris Theater highlighted that the screening included a conversation with director Marshall Curry, executive producer Judd Apatow, and New Yorker editor David Remnick. The documentary celebrates the magazines century-long history and recent successes amid challenging conditions for the media industry.

New Yorker union co-chair Lauren Harris stated that the protest sought to remind the publication to uphold its reputation for tenacity, not only in journalism but also in defending worker rights.

This demonstration is part of an ongoing series of actions by Cond Nasts unionized staff. In mid-November, the NewsGuild of New York organized a rally outside the companys offices attended by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who called for the reinstatement of the terminated workers. Co-chair Daniel Gross, who appears in the Netflix film, condemned the companys response as an embarrassment to its esteemed publications and reaffirmed the unions commitment to protecting members rights and independence.

Author: Jackson Miller